This FG1D Corsair is on regular display at the Olympic Flight Museum where its distinct fold up wings make it stand apart from the other airplanes. Its unique design allowed it to be used aboard US aircraft carriers in WWII. Photo courtesy: Perry Knowles.

This Father’s Day weekend, fly on in to the 21st annual Olympic Air Show located at the Olympic Flight Museum. The event will feature hours of aerial acrobatics, ground displays, flying and more.

Museum employee Chuck Manley stands in front of the restored FG1D Corsair, an irreplaceable plane used by allied air forces during WWII. Not shown in this photo is its typical tri-blade propeller, which is currently being serviced so as to be flight ready in June. Photo courtesy: Perry Knowles.

With this year’s theme of Aviation in the Movies, attendees will have a chance to see planes that have made their mark on the big screen, such as the Mitsubishi Zero from the film “Tora! Tora! Tora!” or the Vietnam era Huey helicopter featured in “War Dogs” and “Kong: Skull Island.” With more famous aircrafts like the Bell 37 helicopter as seen on “M*A*S*H,” or the famous WWII FG1D Corsair with folding wings featured in “Baa Baa Blacksheep (The Black Sheep Squadron),” this show is a multinational display of museum and visiting aircrafts, ranging from helicopters, to kit planes, jets and even a truck with jet engines!

After the Tenino Motorcycle Drill Team posts the colors Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., they will kick off the day’s events with a performance for the crowd. Opening remarks will be given by Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet, followed with aerial displays orchestrated by Air Boss Jim Gibson starting at 12:00 p.m. each day. There will be performances by Steven Bennett in the Christen Eagle, Anna Serbinenko showcasing her Super Decathlon routine “Sky Dancing,” and Renny Price in the Sukhoi-29 competition airplane. In addition to these performers, there will also be visiting attractions such as the West Coast Ravens, a kit-plane team that has performed in “Mythbusters” and for NFL Games, the Smoke n’ Thunder Truck, a 25,000-horsepower modified 1957 Chevy pickup capable of speeds of 350 mph, and more. All of these performances will pack the air show with joys for any motor enthusiast.

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero is a replica of the Mitsubishi Zero, a Japanese WWII long-range naval aircraft. This A6M Zero is a heavily modified T6 Texan training aircraft that has received cosmetic changes and an engine swap to replicate the A6M Zero. Photo courtesy: Perry Knowles.

Also present at the event will be a 40-foot slide and explorable helicopter and plane cockpits for the young ones. For the adults, there will be a beer garden boasting cider, domestic, craft brews and the live band Backlash. Attendees of all ages can find their own form of thrill throughout the weekend. Regardless of age, the rush of watching a plane stall in the sky, helicopters perform maneuvers or a jet truck race an airplane is something we can all find captivating.

In addition to these attractions, there will be food vendors, a stocked gift store, and U.S. Navy and Airforce recruiters. With an anticipated attendance of 8,000 people and limited A.D.A. parking, be sure to arrive early if you need an A.D.A. spot. Tickets are available for $15 online here through the Olympic Air Show Facebook page, and can also be purchased at the event for $20. Children six-years-old and under are free. To assist with security, bags are subject to search upon entering, and glass containers and pets are not allowed. It is recommended that attendees bring their own seats, sunscreen, and earplugs if possible, although sunscreen will be offered for purchase. Ear plugs will be available at the museum’s Membership Desk in the hangar as well, though supply is limited.

Stop by this Fathers’ Day Weekend, June 15-16 to catch some famous aircraft in all their splendor. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. with airshows between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

This is a photo of last year’s attendees enjoying a performance by the Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter. Photo courtesy: Frank Townsend of the Olympia Camera Club.

Museum employee Chuck Manley stands in front of the restored FG1D Corsair, an irreplaceable plane used by allied air forces during WWII. Not shown in this photo is its typical tri-blade propeller, which is currently being serviced so as to be flight ready in June. Photo courtesy: Perry Knowles.

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